Sound-reproducing machine.



L. P. JACKSON. SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I0. 1913.

1,277,594. Patented Sept. 3,1918.

Witnesses [men Cor LouisRJackson w; M(

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE. f

LOUIS r. JACKS N, or SGHENECTADY, New YORK.

sounn -nnrnonuciive MACHINE.

, Specification of Letters Patent. 2

Patented Sept. 3.191s.

Original application filed July 5, 1912, Serial No. 707,889. Divided and this application filed September 10,

- 1913. Serial No. 789,023.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, LOUIS P. JACKSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Sound-Reproducing Machines, of which the following is a'specification. I

My invention relates to improvements in sound reproducing machines and has for its object the provision of improved means whereby in a machine of this character the distinctness with which the soundis reproduced is increased. This applicatlon 1s a division of my earlier application, Serial No. 707 ,889,-filed July 5th, 1912, and which issued asPatent No. 1,232,924, and has certain features in common with my later application filed May 12, 1917, Serial No. 168,167.

One of the objects ofmy invention is to provide improved sound reproducing means whereby the sound is reproduced in its original tones without the presence of disagreeable noises. In one aspect my invention comprises improvements in the reproducer consisting mainly in the provision of a diaphragm and other members oflignum vitae or similar material. bers of chamois skin or the like are likewise provided, together with stops for reducing or modifying the vibrations of the diaphragm. Other objects and purposes of my invention will appear in the course of the following specification in which I have shown my invention embodied in concrete form for purposes of illustration.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a side view mostly in section of my improved reproducer; and Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same.

One of the main features of my improved reproducer consists in employing material such as lignum vitae or the like for constructing certain parts thereof. The construction of this reproducer will be clear from an inspection of the drawing, in which it will be seen that the reproducing lever 10 is pivoted to a circular member 11 of brass or the like which in turn is pivoted at 12. This member 11 has a conical opening therethrough through which the chain 13, consisting of two links, passes from the lever 10 to the diaphragm 13. This diaphragm Cushion memis preferably of lignum vitae or similarmaterialand is provided with two stops 14: for reducingoi-modifying the vibration of the diaphragm. I have selected lignum vitae as the material for the diaphragm because of its peculiar. qualities which fit it in a remarkable manner for this purpose. Moreover, it is unaffected by moisture or changes of temperature and retains its qualities indefinitely. I The chain 13 is secured to the diaphragm at 15 so that the vibration of the lever will be transmitted to the diaphragm. The cover 16 to which the horn 17 e is secured is likewise preferably made of lignum vitae. The diaphragm is cushioned between the cover 16 and the frame of the reproducer by washers 18 of chamois skin or the like. Thismaterial I have found to be very satisfactory for this purpose since it isvsoft and flexible and does notdeteriorate with age. A lever 19, bent, as shown, is pivoted at 20 sothat its free end extends into proximity with themember 11' and the opposite end is adapted to be operated to lift the member 11 and therefore the reproducing lever out of engagement with the record. This lever is frictionally held in the clamp 21 so that it must remain inany position in which it is left by the operator. I also provide a hookshaped finger 22 for supporting the member 11 when the reproducer is removed from the frame.

While I have described my invention as embodied in concrete form and as operating in a specific manner in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, it should be understood that I do not limit my invention thereto, since various modifications thereof will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the annexed claims.

The circular member 11 of brass mentioned and described as having a conical hole, comprises, as shown, a body portion of appreciable thickness, consisting essentially of a relatively heavy annular block, such thickness and weight of material being provided to improve the resonant qualities of the reproducer, and I find the same to be particularly effective in producing thisreengagement with the other side one end of a flat spring that tends to depress the block 11, the said spring as shown extending across the upper side of the block 11, having a hole through which the two link chain 13 passes, and being secured by its other end to the interior wall of the inclosing portionv of the casing.

The cushioning washers 18 as mentioned are made of chamois skin, and Ifind this material to be superior to all other materials for this purpose because the same retains its elasticity indefinitely under normal conditions of use. Such materials as felt and blotting paper I find harden and deteriorate, and do not answer satisfactorily for the purpose after continued use.

The use of the two-link chain 13 I find to materially improve the operative results of the producer by enhancing the flexibility of the support for the stylus, and this result is effected by providing for a laterally and relatively free swinging movement in all directions. That is to say, one link permits of a relatively free lateral swinging movement in one direction, and as the links are positioned in planes having a 90 degree relation, the other link provides for a swinging movement at 90 degrees from that of the first link, and the two combine to permit of such movement in intermediate angular directions.

"As to the use of lignum vitae forthe diaphragm and the cover for the reproducer, I

find this material to be superior toall other I materials, and the superior result obtained by the use of this material I attribute to Copies of thin patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patente.

the factthat the material mentioned is of high resinous quality and in addition thereto is of a high degree of hardness. Other materials, particularly wood, lack one or the other ofthese qualities. Such materials as mahogany, ebony, and rosewood I find to lack in both hardness and resinous qualities.

- Because of the hardness ,referred to the material operates substantially like a metal .in vibratory or ringing effects and because of the resinous quality produces resonant effects that cannot be obtained by the use of a metal. I

IVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is 2- 1. In a sound reproducer, a diaphragm of lignum vitae.

2. In a sound reproducing machine a reproducer comprising a casing body, a cover having an opening for sound waves, a dia- LoUIs r. JACKSON.

Witnesses: I ALEX. F. MACDONALD,

MARGARET A. DEnEI-IANTY,

Washington, D. 0. y i 

